Lost Faces Civil War Photo Franklin Amos Pratt Connecticut

The
man is Captain F. A. [Franklin Amos] Pratt. He was born in Connecticut
circa 1836 and was in Battery M, 1st Connecticut Artillery during the
Civil War.

He is found in the 1880 census for the city of St. Louis Missouri and this cabinet card was done in St. Louis in 1890.

In 1870 he was in Hartford Connecticut.

Closeup of period handwriting on Cabinet Card F. A. Pratt

My research indicates he is almost
certainly the Franklin Amos Pratt born in Waterbury, New Haven,
Connecticut in 1836 to Francis and Emiline Pratt. He is found with his
parents and siblings in the 1850 census for Waterbury. By 1900 he was in
Montana and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery,
Livingston, Park County, Montana

His Civil War history is as follows:

HDQRS. SECOND VOL. BRIGADE ARTILLERY RESERVE,
November 17, 1863.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken
by the several batteries composing the Second Volunteer Brigade,
Artillery Reserve, in the late action:
In compliance with order received from headquarters Artillery Reserve,
November 6, 1863, Battery M, First Connecticut Artillery, Captain F. A.
Pratt, marched from the camp of the Artillery Reserve, near Catlett's
Station, at 4 a. m. of the 7th instant, and reported at General French's
headquarters near Germantown, and proceed thence to Kelly's Ford, where
it took position, and soon afterward opened fire on the enemy, with
good effect, as will be seen by the report of Captain Pratt, a copy of
which is hereunto attached.

[Source:The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies]

Numbers 16. Report of Captain Franklin A. Pratt, Battery M, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, of action at Kelly's Ford.
KELLY'S FORD, VA., November 12, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by
my battery in the action of the 7th instant at Kelly's Ford:
In compliance with orders from headquarters Army of the Potomac, the
battery moved from the camp of the Artillery Reserve, near Catlett's
Station, at 4 a. m. of the 7th instant, reporting at the headquarters of
General French, near Germantown, at daybreak, from which place it moved
at the rear of the First Division, Third
Corps, by way of Morrisville, to Mount Holly Church. When near the
latter place I was ordered to move at once to a position on the road
about 500 yards to the left of the church, and 1,500 yards from Kelly's
Ford, which it commanded with the plains beyond. As I came up there was a
scattering musketry fire at the ford, and the enemy were throwing
forward infantry from the woods into the rifle-pits and buildings on the
opposite bank. Being directed by General Birney to "open on them as
soon as possible," the battery was soon in position, and the second to
open fire.
The enemy being under cover, General Birney directed me to fire on the
brick store in which their riflemen were sheltered. My first shot struck
the building between the second-story windows, passed through the roof
of the one intended. My fire was then directed at a battery of brass
pieces the enemy were using on our infantry from the edge of the woods,
distant from me about 2,500 yards. They effected, the enemy advanced a
line of infantry from the edge of the woods to oppose the advance of our
forces. I threw three shells at them that apparently struck their line,
which broke in much confusion, so much of it as was not covered by
rising ground.
The ammunition used was Schenkle percussion shell. I expended but 15
rounds, but its effectiveness was very evident. They carried with great
precision, few failing to explode.
In closing the report I have to express my belief that the merit of the 4
1\2-inch rifle for field service is not properly considered, and that
if more generally into action, they would add much good to the result.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. A. PRATT,
Captain, First Regiment Conn. Arty., Commanding Siege Battery M.
P. S. JASTRAM,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Source: Chapter XLI. ADVANCE TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK, VA]

Verso of Cabinet Card

Here is more information about Cptn. Pratt

U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles

Name:

FranklinAPratt

Residence:

Hartford, Connecticut

Enlistment Date:

23 May 1861

Rank at enlistment:

Qtr Master Serg

State Served:

Connecticut

Survived the War?:

Yes

Service Record:

Enlisted in Company S, Connecticut 1st Heavy Artillery Regiment on 23 May 1861.
Promoted to Full 2nd Lieutenant on 06 Nov 1861.
Promoted to Full 1st Lieutenant on 13 Feb 1862.
Promoted to Full Adjutant on 01 Mar 1862.
Promoted to Full Captain on 08 Aug 1862.
Mustered out on 11 Nov 1864.

Sources:

Connecticut: Record of Service of Men during War of Rebellion. Source: Ancestry.com

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